melanasma on cheeks and forehead
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:24 pm

I'm new here but on a search of "lightening melanasma" I found this spot.

After getting a tan one summer, the tan faded except for my cheeks (cheekbone down to bottom of my face), a line across my forehead, and on my upper lip (it looked like I had dirty or a mustache). I went to a dermatologist and he told me it was melanasma and gave me some cream. Well, the cream was successful for lightening the "mustache" but I had no luck with the other spots.

I've had these for over 10 years and I've been very self conscious since I first had them. I have not been out in the sun without super sun protection since.

I'm constantly looking for a foundation to cover them but I haven't had any luck.

I read some messages on suggestions to lighten spots but the descriptions didn't seem like exactly like mine.

I'm looking for any suggestions on hopefully getting rid of them but anything to just lighten them would be wonderful. I'm 35 (23 or 24 when they showed up) and I'm afraid that the older I get the more they will show.

Thank you in advance.

Kelly

free skin care · Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:56 pm

Welcome to the board, Kellie.

Melasma is an aggravating little skin problem, isn't it! Very frustrating - especially for those who have always stuck to a good sunscreen, never used BCP's, never have been pregnant, etc....yet, still, out of nowhere melasma appears.

I'm convinced mine started with hormone flucuations shortly after my 40th birthday. Started as small brown spots on either side of my face, then they merrily took a trip down both of my cheeks to my jawline. Sad

I have tried every conceivable potion, lotion, rx, Vit C, MSM, and the only product that touched it was Cosmelan 2. You'll have to Google it, or visit the skincarerx forum to read much more about it - but it is a two step program, the first being Cosmelan 1, which is a mask that is applied in a derm's office that is kept on for a certain amount of hours - depending on your skintype. The Cosmelan 2 is the maintenance cream that follows it. I did not do the mask, only purchased the C2, and that was the only product that helped. AFter about 2 weeks is when I noticed the lightening. I still wear foundation (mineral makeup), but i's not nearly as noticeable as it was. It is not cheap, but I'd spend the money again in heartbeat b/c it worked.

Everyone's skin is different and there have been those who have reported not-so good results from Cosmelan. Some have gotten very red, irritated, etc., I was lucky that I had little to any side effects. You can even see some of the ladies who post their diaries on the skincarerx site with pictures showing their progress with Cosmelan (or its Spanish counterpart -Amelan).

There are other Rx creams, like Triluma, that only a derm can prescribe which contains a combo of steroid and hydroquinone - but I think you have to be more careful of those, b/c rebound melasma can happen when you stop using it.

Some derms may also prescribe laser or IPL, but I know that many of the girls who've had this (again, from the skincarerx board) have had their melasma eradicated, only to have it come back worse in a few weeks.

It's a pain in the neck to deal with I know, but you're not alone!

Maria Cool

Sat Aug 12, 2006 8:56 pm

A few products to suggest for your consideration!
Treatments: IS Clinical Super Serum, True Cosmetics Radiance Revealing Complex Idebenone 0.5 % epf-95, or Kinerase Morning Boost C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment.

Moisturizers: Kinerase Cream (N6-forfuryladenine) with SPF15, Decleor Aroma White Brightening Matifying Fluid SPF15.

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